Founding Hardware Engineer (PCB + Firmware)
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Once approved to work on the opportunity, you’ll receive the full brief, including the client name, role details, and commercial terms.
Role Details
Location: San Francisco, CA
Industry: Hardware / Embedded Systems
Employment Type: Full-time
Work Arrangement: In-office
Compensation: $150,000–$170,000 base salary
Equity: 1%–1.5%
Experience: 0–1 years
Visa Sponsorship: Not available
Work Authorization: Must be a US citizen or green-card holder
About the Company
An early-stage hardware company developing embedded sensing technology for maritime environments. Its sensors collect vibration and thermal data from critical components aboard ships, while machine learning models analyze the data to predict equipment failures and support predictive maintenance.
The company has already deployed beta-tested sensors on local ferries and secured paid pilot projects with additional maritime operators. Its longer-term vision is to expand from maintenance sensors into autonomous surface vessels (ASVs), developing the hardware and technology needed to support reliable, crewless maritime operations.
About the Role
The company is looking for a founding hardware and embedded engineer to take ownership of its sensing hardware, from PCB design and schematic capture through assembly, firmware, and testing.
The immediate priority is assembling and preparing the existing sensor fleet for upcoming paid deployments. The role will then expand into improving deployed hardware, integrating new sensors, and developing new products.
Over time, the engineer will help build hardware and firmware from zero to one, contributing to the company's longer-term autonomous vessel ambitions.
This is positioned as a potential future CPO / co-founder opportunity. For the right person, there may be a path to a CPO role after approximately 6–7 months, with a potential equity increase to 5–10%, subject to mutual fit and agreement.
Responsibilities
- Own the hardware development lifecycle, including schematic capture, PCB design, assembly, wiring, soldering, and bench testing.
- Assemble and prepare existing sensors for upcoming customer deployments.
- Integrate sensors such as accelerometers, thermal cameras, and IMUs.
- Work on power regulation, connectors, and enclosure integration.
- Develop and maintain embedded systems using microcontrollers and platforms such as ESP32 and Raspberry Pi.
- Build and improve firmware.
- Refine existing sensors based on feedback and requirements from maritime operators.
- Develop new sensors that integrate with the existing system.
- Contribute to future zero-to-one hardware and firmware development for autonomous surface vessel prototypes.
- Help shape product direction and bring independent product ideas to the team.
Requirements
- Strong practical experience in PCB design and schematic capture.
- Ability to build hardware and firmware from zero to one.
- Experience integrating sensors, ideally accelerometers, thermal cameras, or IMUs.
- Familiarity with embedded systems and microcontrollers, particularly ESP32 or Raspberry Pi.
- Hands-on ability with assembly, wiring, soldering, and bench testing.
- Understanding of power regulation, connectors, and enclosure integration.
- Evidence of personally owning hardware projects end to end, ideally from PCB design through firmware.
Growth Opportunity & Compensation
- Initial base salary of $150,000–$170,000, with 1%–1.5% equity.
- Potential compensation increase following the anticipated seed round in spring 2027.
- Potential progression to CPO / co-founder after approximately 6–7 months, with a possible equity increase to 5–10% for the right candidate.
Interview Process
- Introductory Call / In-Person Meeting
- Hands-On Work Trial
- Offer
- Hire